Special RepoRt
Spa & FitneSS
Healthy deMand
Hotels offer innovative spa and fitness programs to appeal to wellness-focused travelers .
by Brittany FarB , associate editor
Vacations of the past may have resulted in days of indulging and breaking healthy routines . However , travelers are now exhibiting a growing interest in both keeping up with health regimens and discovering new programs while away from home .
“ Travelers want to have a higher degree of wellness and are results oriented ,” says Anna Bjurstam , vice president of Six Senses Spas , who has observed a “ huge shift ” since she started working in the industry over a decade ago . “ People are traveling for a purpose .”
In response to this shift , in partnership with several celebrity doctors and wellness professionals , including Mehmet Oz , Michael Breus and Steven Gundry , Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has upped its game by rolling out an integrated wellness program that started last year . Six Senses Integrated Wellness , which took about two years to develop , is designed to address the most common issues that people face as a result of their “ ultra-stressed ” daily lives . The program begins with in-house health experts measuring and analyzing key physiological biomarkers , such as heart rate , tissue oxygen uptake and distribution , arterial stiffness and stress . This information , along with “ in-depth discussions ” about the guest ’ s lifestyle and personal goals , enable Six Senses wellness experts to recommend a personalized program that consists of spa treatments , fitness and wellness activities , and nutritional advice . Guests receive a post-program consultation that includes advice and tools from Six Senses ’ experts on how to continue and maintain a healthy lifestyle at home . A follow-up wellness screening session is also recommended for programs of one week or more .
“ We have found people who get the screening and are not anticipating to
20 hotelsmag . com May 2016